Exclusive Insights: Jeremy Allen White's Favorite 'The Iron Claw' Costume Accessory Revealed
Discover exclusive behind-the-scenes insights as 'The Iron Claw' costume designer, Jennifer Starzyk, unveils hidden secrets of the wrestling drama Find out the coveted accessory Jeremy Allen White couldn't resist wearing Uncover the fascinating details in this must-read article
Eric Chakeen/A24
The Iron Claw tells the heartbreaking story of the Von Erich wrestling dynasty, but the heavy subject matter didn’t stop the cast from having fun on set.
Costume designer Jennifer Starzyk revealed that the room had an intense reaction the first day Zac Efron filmed a wrestling match as Kevin Von Erich. "You would have thought it was really happening," Starzyk told We exclusively. "There was a dynamic sense of electrified energy, everyone was completely absorbed in the process."
According to Starzyk, this is one reason Efron and his co-stars Jeremy Allen White (Kerry Von Erich) and Harris Dickinson (David Von Erich) were not too nervous about wearing skimpy wrestling trunks. "They might say they were reluctant, but truthfully, everyone looked amazing," she said. "It wouldn’t matter if they didn’t look amazing anyhow. They’re such great actors, but I never got that sense [that they were nervous] at all."
The wrestling trunks in question are much sturdier than they might look on the big screen, as explained by the source. "If you properly make the trunks, they’re triple-lined," she explained. "They’re very thick and very comfortable. They have a drawstring on top of the elastic, so it’s made to perform. So, it’s not an issue there. Everybody just got used to it — and they were all dressed alike. It wasn’t like one guy was kind of naked and nobody else was."
Jeremy Allen White portrayed Kerry Von Erich in A24's film. Starzyk enjoyed working with archival footage of the real Von Erich family to design the characters’ ring robes. She also ensured that 36-year-old Efron and his costars looked great for scenes set outside the Sportatorium, the Dallas, Texas arena where the Von Erichs wrestled in the 1970s and ’80s.
“Starzyk described Zac’s character as the Golden Warrior, with an all-American jock vibe,” Starzyk explained. “He was the neutral brother, so I used a color palette of grays, blacks, and blues to give him a more substantial and grounded appearance."
When it came to Dickinson's character, David, Starzyk turned to the brothers' home state for inspiration. "David Von Erich is known as the Yellow Rose of Texas, and he was definitely the most western, a little bit rock 'n' roll, a little bit country," she told Us. She mentioned pulling leather vests, blazers, and snakeskin boots for Dickinson to wear out of the ring. Starzyk also worked with Stetson to recreate a hat from the 1980s with a slightly different crown, as the man at Stetson who works with film was a Von Erich fan and grew up in Texas.
White's role as Kerry in the family was akin to that of a rock star. According to Starzyk, he always sported a very '80s look, growing out his hair for the role while his co-stars opted for wigs. The color palette used for his wardrobe consisted of the vivid '80s colors such as teals, turquoises, and purples. He embraced '80s patterns and even rocked acid-wash jeans. A particular point of contention was his ring robe, which was a tiny, short robe that barely covered his bottom. There was a debate on the length of the robe, with Jeremy pushing for a longer one and the response being a shorter one, resulting in an ongoing back-and-forth.
Jeremy Allen White, Harris Dickinson, Michael Harney, and Zac Efron were all part of the costume department's biggest hit - the brothers' footwear. According to Starzyk, the cowboy boots were a popular choice among the cast as they were fun to wear. Jeremy Allen White particularly favored the white cowboy boots and would often request them in the trailer.
Dickinson, on the other hand, adored the vintage wedding suit he sported for the scene where Kevin ties the knot with Pamela (Lily James). The suits were bought from a former firefighter who has since taken up collecting vintage tuxedos following his heroic efforts to save a burning building filled with old clothing.
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Dickinson expressed his desire for the outfit, stating, "I think I really want this. I think I need to wear this," as recalled by Starzyk. By the time approval was granted for Dickinson to keep the outfit, it was his final day of shooting and he was on his way to the airport to fly to London. "He arrived on set with his suitcase," Starzyk recounted. "And he said, 'I can't fit it in!' It was really adorable."
The Iron Claw is in theaters now.
